Download Caesar`s Conquests

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Caesar's Conquests
Each Triumvirate member commanded a military post in an outlying area
of the Roman Republic. Pompey led in Spain, Crassus in Syria, and
Caesar in Gaul. Gaul was made up mostly of what are now France and
Belgium. While serving in Gaul, Caesar fought the Celts and invaded
Britain. He won the admiration and support of the poorer classes. Roman
senators grew uneasy with Caesar, however. They feared that he was
becoming too popular and would seek power as Sulla had.
By 50 b.c., the First Triumvirate no longer existed. Crassus had died in
battle, and Pompey emerged as Caesar's main rival. In 49 b.c., the Senate
gave its support to Pompey. It ordered Caesar to give up his army and
return to Rome. Caesar, however, refused. He knew that if he returned to
Rome, he might be imprisoned or killed by his rivals. Caesar gathered his
loyal troops and crossed the Rubicon (ROO • bih • KAHN) River.
This small river separated Caesar's military command area from Roman
Italy. According to legend, Caesar saw a vision that inspired him to cross
the Rubicon. He exclaimed to his troops:
"Even yet we may draw back; but once cross yon little bridge, and the
whole issue is with the sword. . . . Take we the course which the signs of
the gods and false dealing of our foes point out. The die is cast."
—from Life of Julius Caesar by Suetonius
Caesar had refused to obey the Senate and was now marching on Rome.
He realized that he was starting a civil war. His decision, however, could
not be reversed.
Caesar and his soldiers swiftly captured all of Italy. They drove Pompey's
forces out of the country. The fighting then spread eastward, with Caesar
finally crushing Pompey's army in Greece in 48 b.c.